Psy 5090: Syllabus

Example:

PSY 5090 SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
SPRING SEMESTER 2006

AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY                           CLASSES MEET: MONDAY  
DR. SAMUEL FUNG                                                    4:30-7:30 P.M.
OFFICE: CL 307B                                                        ROOM: CL 306
PHONE: (931)221-7239                                          OFFICE HOURS: As posted
E-mail: fungs@apsu.edu                                          outside the office.

 COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course focuses upon the mutual interaction of individuals with social institutions and  the dynamics of behavior in a social context.

OBJECTIVES

1. To understand the “History, Characteristics, Social Interaction Emphasis and System   
    Approach of Social and Community Psychology.” (CACREP K2a, 2c)

2. To explore the “Social Influence Process”: (CACREP K2b)
    A. Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
    B.  Mass Communication, Propaganda, and Persuasion
    C. Social Cognition and Attribution Process (Inferring Internal or External Causes of
        Behavior)

3. To study “Destructive Social Interaction”: (CACREP K2a, K2c)
   A. Aggression: Causes and Prevention
   B. Prejudice and Discrimination: Differences, Causes and Prevention

4. To explore “Constructive Social Interaction”: (CACREP K2c)
   A. Love and Attraction: Causes/Factors which affecting Attraction

5. To study specific “Community Psychology Topics”: (CACREP K2a, K2b, K2c)
   A. Consultation Services and Prevention Programs: Differences and Types of Prevention
   B. Crisis Intervention and Stressful-Life Event: Stress Management and Crisis Intervention

6. To demonstrate research competency in literature search and scholarly paper related to a
    topicin either Social or Community Psychology (CACREP: K8a, K8b, K8c)

  TEXT

 Aronson, Elliot. Readings About The Social Animal (9th. Edition).  New York: Worth
      Publishers, 2004.

 REQUIREMENTS

1.  A thorough understanding of the text. Read the text as assigned schedule.
2.  Attendance at class meetings and participation in class discussions.
3.  Research Project & Class Report.
     Research project may address any verifiable hypothesis of interest to you in social and 
     community psychology.  You are responsible for developing a proposal and a final
     report baed on your proposed analysis and interpretation of results.  The final report
     should be about 10 pages long.  It should include at least seven psychological journal
     articles as references. This paper must be typed in double-spaced and according to
     A.P.A. format. Research paper is due on April 10, 2006
4. Five article reviews from at least three different types of journals. 2-3 pages long.
     * 2 article reviews are due before/on February 6, 2006          
     * 2 article reviews are due before/on March 13, 2006            
     * 1 article review is due on April 3, 2006
5. Exams based on lectures and text readings.

 EXAMINATIONS

    There will be three examinations.  Each exam will consist of multiple choice and/or essay questions.  These exams are not designed to be cumulative.  Examinations will be held according to the following schedule:

             1^st Exam:     February 13, 2006
             2^nd Exam:    March 27, 2006
             Final Exam: May 1, 2006       

First Examination: Lecture and Discussion Topics

I. History Characteristics, Social Interaction Emphasis and System Approach of Social
   and Community Psychology
   A. INTRODUCTION: REFLECTIONS ON THE RESEARCH PROCESS (Textbook): (1/23 &
       1/30)]
       1. Research in Social Psychology as a Leap of Faith
   B. Reading Articles in Library: (1/30)
Georgoudi, M., & Rosnow, R. L. (1985).  Notes toward a contextualist understanding of
      social psychology. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11, 5-22.
Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational
      change for psychologists. (2003, May).  American Psychologist, 58, 377-402.

II. Social Influence Process:
   A. CONFORMITY AND OBEDIENCE (Textbook): (1/30 & 2/6)
       3. Opinions and Social Pressure
       4. Behavioral Study of Obedience
      5. "From Jerusalem to Jericho": A Study of Situational and Dispositional Variables in Helping
          Behavior 
     7. Making Sense of the Nonsensical: An Analysis of Jonestown
   B. MASS COMMUNICATION, PROPAGANDA, AND PERSUASION (Textbook): (1/30 &
       2/6)
    8. Effects of Varying the Recommendations in a Fear-Arousing Communication
  10. The Impact of Mass Media Violence on U.S. Homicides
C. Reading Articles in Library:  
Pratto, F, & Espinoza, P. (2001). Gender, Ethnicity, and Power. Journal of Social Issues, 57,
     763-780.

Second Examination: Lecture and Discussion Topics

I. Social Cognition (Textbook): (2/20)
  11. Contrast Effects and Judgments of Physical Attractiveness: When Beauty Becomes a Social 
       Problem
 14. Videotape and the Attribution Process: Reversing Actors' and Observers' Points of View
 15. Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious

II. Community Psychology (2/27)
      A. Community Health Services
      B. Prevention Program
      C. Consultation Services
      D. Reading Articles in Library
Biglan, A., Mrazek, P., Carnine, D., & Flay, B. (2003). The integration of research and practice
     in theprevention of youth problem behaviors. American Psychologist, 58, 433-440.
Nation, M., Crusto, C., Wandersman, A., Kumpfer, K., Seybolt, D., Davino, E., & Davino, K.
     (2003). What works in Prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs. American 
     Psychologist, 58, 449-456.
Wandersman, A., & Florin, P. (2003). Community interventions and effective
     prevention.  American Psychologist, 58, 441-448.

III. SELF-JUSTIFICATION (Textbook): (3/13)
    17. Compliance Without Pressure: The Foot-in-the-Door Technique.    
   18. Reducing Weight By Reducing Dissonance: The Role of Effort Justification in Inducing Weight  
         Loss
  20. Using Cognitive Dissonance to Encourage Water Conservation
  21. Self-Theories of Intelligence

IV. HUMAN AGGRESSION (Textbook): (3/20)

 22. The Effects of Observing Violence
 24. Peacetime Casualties: The Effects of War on the Violent Behavior of Noncombatants
 26. Predictors of Naturalistic Sexual Aggression

Final Examination: Lecture and Discussion Topics

I. PREJUDICE (Textbook): (4/3 & 4/10)
 27. The Nonverbal Mediation of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies in Interracial Interaction
 29. Experiments in Group Conflict
30. Jigsaw Groups and the Desegregated Classroom: In Pursuit of Common Goals
31. Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey, and the Social Psychology of Affirmative Action

II. LIKING, LOVING, AND INTERPERSONAL SENSITIVITY (Textbook): (4/10 & 4/17)

32. "Playing Hard to Get": Understanding an Elusive Phenomenon
35. Some Evidence for Heightened Sexual Attraction under Conditions of High Anxiety
36. Keeping Track of Needs and Inputs of Friends and Strangers 

III. Community Psychology (4/17 & 4/24)
     A. Crisis Intervention
     B. Stressful-Life-Event
     C. Reading Articles in Library:
Lin, E., Bugental, D., Turek, V., Martorell, G., & Olster, D. (2002). Children’s vocal properties
     as mobilizers of stress-related physiological responses in adults.  Personality and Social
     Psychology, 28, 346-357
Seta, J. J., Seta, C. E., & McElroy, T. (2002). Strategies for Reducing the Stress of Negative Life
     Experiences: An Averaging/Summation Analysis. Personality and Social Psychology  
     Bulletin, 28, 1574-1585.
Somerfield, M. R., & McCrae, R. R. (2000). Stress and Coping Research: Methodological
     Challenges, Theoretical Advances, and Clinical Applications. American   
     Psychologist, 55, 620-625.

                        GRADING                                                       GRADING SCALE

 Research Project & Class Report................... 20 points              A = 90 points and above
Article Reviews ............................................. 15 points              B = 80-89 points
1st. Exam...................................................... 20 points              C = 60-79 points
2nd. Exam..................................................... 20 points              D = 50-59 points
Final Exam.................................................... 25 points               F = 49 points and below

ATTENDANCE POLICY
All students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. The failure to regularly attend detrimentally affects your final grade due to missed lectures.

DISABILITY POLICY
Any student who has a condition that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me or with the Disability Services in Clement 140, Telephone (931)221-6230, to discuss this matter.

 ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT
Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times.  Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated.  Students must read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting.

MINORS IN THE CLASSROOM
APSU has a policy regarding minors in the classroom. Please refer to the AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL in the APSU webpage.